The world is currently going through a difficult period. Our civilization is very advanced and it has become global in scope. This entails a tremendous increase in our power over our environment. If our understanding cannot keep pace with our power, we are risking a catastrophe of unprecedented proportions.

Our hopes that after the collapse of the Soviet empire the totalitarian, closed society would be replaced by an open society were not quite fulfilled. It is dangerous to generalize, but it is possible to discern a pattern emerging. It consists of nationalist ideologies combined with big business interests - the classic recipe for fascism or national socialism. Recent history shows that the building of an open society takes more time and greater effort than expected. It requires a new set of values, a different way of thinking.

In my philosophy, open society is based on the recognition that we all act on the basis of imperfect understanding. Nobody is in the position of knowing the ultimate truth. Therefore, we need a critical mode of thinking; we need institutions and practices that allow people with different views and interests to live together in peace; we need a democratic form of government that ensures the orderly transfer of power; we need a market economy that provides feedback and allows mistakes to be corrected; Above all, we need the rule of law. In a closed society, society is dominated by the state, and the state is in the service of a dogma that claims to embody the ultimate truth. In such a society there is no freedom. Open society is a sophisticated, abstract idea. How can it compete with simpler, more concrete ideas such as "my family", "my tribe", "my country, right or wrong". People may be willing to die for king and country; are they willing to die for an open society? Judging by the example of Bosnia, clearly not.

When I established open society foundations in Central and Eastern Europe, I made it my mission to help in the transition from communism to open society. I am convinced that our future, to a large extent, depends on how successful and effective the transition will be.

I have been in Lithuania a number of times. I know that your country declared its independence in 1918, that Lithuania wanted to follow the path of democracy, and, after regaining your independence in 1990 following the collapse of the Soviet empire, you are trying to establish a system based on Western democratic concepts and principles. It is a difficult process which will require a lot of effort.

During my visit to Lithuania in October 1995, a journalist asked me the question: "Following a period of euphoria, there is a sense of apathy in the society. To many people, the idea of an open society appears distant and unreachable. Don't you sometimes feel pessimistic?" My answer was: "Yes, there is some reason for pessimism, but that makes the work of our foundations that much more important". I firmly believe that the Open Society Fund -Lithuania effectively contributes to the country's renewal and transformation. Your foundation has many supporters in Lithuania and your efforts in the building of a open civil society are appreciated by the people. That gives me reason for optimism.